Head of Standards

Overview

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Edinburgh

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is the UK’s chartered professional body dedicated to educating, developing and regulating actuaries based both in the UK and internationally. The IFoA regulates and represents over 34,000 members worldwide, overseeing their actuarial education at all stages of qualification and development throughout their careers. We set examinations, continuing professional development, professional codes and disciplinary standards for our members.

We are currently recruiting a Head of Standards for a Permanent contract. This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our Edinburgh hub, and the candidate will need to be in the hub at least monthly. The starting salary is £82,935.

• Responsible for ensuring the IFoA has in place robust and proportionate professional standards that meet best practice for a Royal Charter professional body of the IFoA’s standing.
• Ensuring that the standards framework is informed by: the IFoA’s public interest horizon-scanning work, relevant information gathered through its thematic reviews of actuarial work; and practical expert insight from the IFoA’s Members.
• Leading on engagement with the FRC’s Supervision and Standards teams in relation to the IFoA’s standards and disciplinary functions.
• Involved in progressing updates to Memorandums of Understanding with fellow regulators and with our oversight body.
• Responsible for maintaining an appropriate disciplinary framework and ensuring that there are appropriate policies and procedures in place in relation to the IFoA’s enforcement of its professional standards.
• The role holder will act as Head of Disciplinary Investigations for the purposes of the Disciplinary Scheme, with specific formal responsibilities for key disciplinary investigations decisions in terms of the current disciplinary process.
• The role holder will also lead on the investigation of more complex and sensitive disciplinary complaints.
• The role holder may also be expected to present, or instruct Counsel to present, more serious or difficult cases at disciplinary hearings.
• Responsible for coordinating with relevant statutory/professional regulators, including the FRC’s Actuarial Discipline team and/or relevant law enforcement agencies in relation to connected investigations/proceedings.

• Experience of working within professional regulation
• A relevant legal qualification (or, for exceptional candidates, equivalent practical experience operating in a regulatory or disciplinary legal environment)
• A deep knowledge of professional discipline and of best practice for disciplinary processes
• A sound understanding of professional regulation and standards-setting
• Ability to lead a high-functioning team of professionals and subject-matter experts
• Advocacy and presenting skills
• Ability to foster and maintain good relationships with both colleagues and external stakeholders – engaging and approachable while remaining able to “get things done”
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to deal effectively and sensitively with challenging matters and to manage difficult discussions

The full job description is available on:

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to  by the closing date of Sunday 8 February. Interviews will take place on 17 and 19 February.

Read more about working for the IFoA